‘she who has the will to win cannot be beat’

Dynamic Boulay sisters excelling as UNE field hockey players

Tue, 10/16/2018 - 7:30pm

BIDDEFORD — Kersey and Reanna Boulay excelled on the field hockey field as members of the Mount View Mustangs field hockey program and are continuing their excellence both on, and off, the field as members of the University of New England field hockey program. 

Kersey is a five-foot-five senior defender for the Nor’Easters, while Reanna is a five-foot-eight sophomore forward. 

The sisters, natives of Liberty, are nursing majors and plan to work as hospital nurses, though they differ on the location of their ideal job. 

Kersey plans to stay in Maine, while Reanna noted she unsure if she wants to stay in Maine or travel.

The sisters may have differing views of where they want to work, but they were in tune coming out of high school on playing for the Nor’Easters, thanks to the competitive nature the field hockey program offered. 

“I wanted to play for UNE because of how competitive the team was and I wanted to play at a high level,” Kersey said. “I also wanted to be able to focus on school and athletics, which UNE has allowed me to do.”

“I wanted to major in nursing, but also play field hockey at a higher [and] more competitive level as well,” Reanna said. “Luckily my sister was doing the same thing so I got the opportunity to watch her play for her first two years at the university. The team looked like they were very close and friendly towards one another, like a family. I attended a few years of the spring clinic that they put on and got to know the team and also the coaches better. The atmosphere was really great and welcoming, so I guess that was what drew me to play for UNE.” 

Reanna noted that reuniting on the field once more with her sister was an added bonus.

Though they have taken the state’s field hockey scene by storm, there was nothing specific, such as a family legacy, that automatically drove them to the sport. 

“Our parents were kind of just looking to get us into a program,” Reanna recalled of starting field hockey in the first grade. “My sister and I said that we thought field hockey would be pretty cool and we fell in love with the game right away.”

“After the first practice I fell in love with the game,” said Kersey, who began playing field hockey in the third or fourth grade. “It is so different than any other sport.”

The sisters have an impressive list of accolades from their high school and college athletic seasons, according to their university biographies

Kersey, the elder sister, was Miss Maine Field Hockey finalist her senior year at Mount View, where she spent three seasons as the softball team captain and one as the field hockey team captain. 

With the Mustangs, Kersey was an all-state and conference first team selection her junior and senior years. 

In 2015, her freshman collegiate season, she was the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Rookie of the Year, CCC all-conference first team member and National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) New England East second team member. She was also a one time CCC Offensive Player of the Week, three time CCC Rookie of the Week, one time Eastern College Athletic Conference New England Rookie of the Week and University of New England Female Rookie of the Year. 

During her 2016 sophomore campaign, Kersey finished as a first team selection on the CCC and NFHCA New England East lists, while also finishing as a one time CCC Offensive Player of the Week. 

During her 2017 junior season, Kersey was named to the first team lists of the CCC and NFHCA New England East, while also finishing as CCC Defensive Player of the Year. She also was a three time CCC Defensive Player of the Week. 

Academically, Kersey is a Dean’s List student, two time member of the CCC academic all-conference team, inductee into the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society and member of the NFHCA National Academic Squad. 

Meanwhile, Reanna finished her high school career with the Mustangs as a semifinalist for Miss Maine Field Hockey and two time all-conference selection. Reanna also set the Mount View scoring record. 

After her freshman season in Biddeford, the younger Boulay was named as a member of the NFHCA National Academic Squad. 

As noted, both had impressive careers at Mount View, and both young women had favorable memories of the school’s field hockey program. 

“I will never forget how it felt to be on that team,” Kersey stated, while recalling how close the team was her senior year and how there was a family atmosphere among the team. 

“Our team was very close so it was always great to just go down to the field and play when school got out,” Reanna echoed. 

The sisters had strikingly similar answers when asked to state their academic goals, a testament to both their strive for academic greatness and their sisterhood.  

“In the classroom I strive to get As and Bs on my overall grade in the class, but also on all exams,” said Kersey. 

“My personal goals in the classroom is to aim for As and Bs as an average overall, but also on exams, as well,” said Reanna. 

Juggling collegiate athletics and striving for high grades can be a daunting measure for any college student. 

How do these two young women stay motivated and inspired through it all? 

Simply put, family is what drives the Boulays. 

“They have been there for me through every decision I make and are always supportive no matter what,” Reanna said. “I wouldn’t ever be able to repay them for everything they have done, so I do my best for them.” 

“I want to do well for [my family] and share the good experiences with them,” Kersey echoed. 

On the field, the sisters intend to give every play their everything, while being positive leaders. 

“My personal goals on the field are to play the level of field hockey I know I can play every game and never be able to say ‘I could have done better,’” Kersey said. “Another goal is to be a good leader; that is positive, shows leadership through my actions, and can speak up when need be.”

“My personal goals on the field is to play every day like my last — not everyone gets the opportunity to play the sport they love,” Reanna stated. “I don’t want to walk off the field feeling like I didn’t put my all into each practice or game. I also try to be a positive player as much as I can.”

Asked to provide advice for current Midcoast student-athletes hoping to play collegiate athletics, the pair agreed playing for a club team is helpful — if you are presented with the opportunity. 

“It will give you the extra practice, a higher level of play, and will challenge you in ways that high school does not,” Kersey said, while also adding that club teams get you used to playing with a different set of teammates you do not play with on your school team. 

“I know that [club field hockey] was one of the things that really took my skills to the next level and also my understanding of the game,” Reanna said. “It gives you that extra step over players and teaches you things that you may not always learn in high school play.”

Reanna noted those not able to play for a club team can do solo skill sessions and work on skills by yourself “to perfect the little things that will make your play that much better.”

Kersey, meanwhile, recommended reaching out to coaches at colleges of interest so the coaches know you are interested and can potentially watch you play. 

As nursing majors and collegiate athletes, neither sister has much time for downtime, though both were ultimately able to pull together an answer when asked to list what their little amount of downtime does consist of. 

Relaxing, hanging out with friends and watching a “good movie” is Kersey’s ideal downtime activities, while Reanna enjoys spending time with family and friends “to just catch up.” 

While in the Midcoast, the sisters enjoy spending time near water. 

“I love going to the beach, and getting lobster when I can,” Kersey said. 

“I love going to the lake just to relax or sometimes even kayak, and I also enjoy going to the beach as a family when we get the chance,” said Reanna.

When asked to provide their favorite quote, Kersey noted she does not have one, since she is “not a big quotes person” while Reanna noted her favorite is: “She who has the will to win cannot be beat.” Reanna does not know why the quote has stuck with her through club and high school field hockey, though she does credit the fact the quote is “pretty easy to remember” as a possible answer. 

A trip to Europe is on the bucket list for both sisters as Kersey listed Italy as the one place she would love to visit and Reanna noting Ireland tops her list. Though Kersey also noted there are “so many other places” she would love the visit. 

As for greatest accomplishments thus far in life, Kersey noted juggling field hockey and nursing school is at the top of the list, but being on a three time conference championship field hockey team is also a noteworthy accomplishment. 

For Renna, she stated her greatest accomplishment is “just making it as far as I have.” 

“I know there are many more things that I will strive to accomplish in the future, but I have to focus on what’s in front of me right now to get where I want to be,” Reanna concluded. 


Reach George Harvey and the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com